http://www.drbadia.com/ http://www.angeleshealth.com/ About Carlos Zavala Ruiz Mr. Zavala has more than 16 years of experience in the healthcare field in Mexico. Coming from a family of doctors, Mr. Zavala started in the cross-border healthcare business 14 years ago as a consultant to a TPA, which after 1.5 years made him vice president of Operations, running offices in Tijuana, Monterrey, Mexico and Guadalajara. In 2004 he joined Hospital Angeles Tijuana, part of Grupo Angeles Servicios de Salud, the largest private hospital organization in Mexico, with 28 hospitals across the country. About Angeles Health International Angeles Hospital is Mexico’s largest private hospital network. Our patient care network is comprised of 28 hospitals, 234 surgical suites, 2,554 beds and 15,000 specialists. Five million patients are treated each year by 11,000 Angeles Health physicians. In just over two decades, Angeles Hospital has radically transformed the practice of private medicine in Mexico and become a leader in medical tourism. Angeles Hospital conducts an estimated 100 clinical trials annually, primarily with major global pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Angeles Health International is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Angeles Hospital that helps coordinate the treatment of more North American medical travelers than any other hospital network globally. Our U.S.-based case managers have years of experience and offer our patients full English-fluent and Spanish-fluent concierge services. Medical Travel Today (MTT): Tell the readers about Angeles Health International. Carlos Zavala (CZ): Angeles Hospital is Mexico’s largest private hospital network. Our patient care network is comprised of 28 hospitals, 234 surgical suites, 2,554 beds and 15,000 specialists, and is always growing. Treating a total of five million patients each year, Angeles Hospital conducts an estimated 100 clinical trials annually, primarily with major global pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In just over two decades, Angeles Hospital has radically transformed the practice of private medicine in Mexico and has become a leader in medical travel. Angeles Health International is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Angeles Hospital that helps coordinate the treatment of more North American medical travelers. Our U.S.-based case managers have years of experience and offer our patients full concierge services – both in English and Spanish. This personal touch allows people to receive answers to the many questions they may have while deciding to pursue surgery. MTT: How did Angeles Health get started in medical travel? CZ: Angeles Health International recognized that there was an increasing need for high quality and affordable medical treatment for U.S. and Canadian patients. In the past two decades, as the Angeles Health medical network revolutionized the standard of care in Mexico, our reputation grew and people began requesting visits to our hospitals. MTT: How many medical travelers do you see in your network per year? CZ: We average between 650-850 medical travelers per year. MTT: What procedures do medical travelers commonly seek? CZ: We are well known for the quality of our innovative functional oncology program, and we’re proud to have one of the world’s best weight loss surgeons. Additionally, we also commonly see patients for stem cell applications, orthopedic surgery, dentistry, cardiology, cosmetic surgery, and just about any other procedure you would expect from a hospital. Generally speaking, patients come to us based on our reputation, innovative approach and exceptional value, so we see people for a variety of care options. MTT: Is there a major difference in cost at Angeles Health in comparison to other facilities in, let’s say the U.S.? CZ: While prices vary across the U.S., Angeles Health prides itself on offering comparable care, and in many cases, better treatment options at lower prices than what patients would receive in the U.S. On average we save patients at least 40 percent of the cost of an equivalent treatment offered in the U.S. That number can significantly increase for treatment options that have higher margins in the U.S. For example, gastric sleeve surgery has an average cost of about $19,000 in the U.S., which insurance may not cover. At Angeles Health the same procedure with one of the world’s most experienced surgeons costs $6,500. For a complicated procedure like an angioplasty that can cost up to $41,000 in the U.S., our price of $14,000 represents significant savings. MTT: If a prospective medical traveler was interested in seeking care at Angeles Health, what would their process be from start to finish? CZ: If a patient is interested in receiving care at Angeles Health, they can go to our contact page and enter in their introductory information and the treatment options they’re interested in. One of our case managers will directly follow up with the patient within 24 hours to discuss their medical treatment options, as well as answer any questions they may have about treatment. During the course of conversations with the prospective patient, we collect relevant personal and family medical information, as well as gather any diagnostic information that may be needed. For more complex procedures, patients typically consult and speak directly with their surgeon. Should the patient commit to treatment, a case manager will answer any final questions they have and give them general information, including recovery times, dietary restrictions, etc. Next, the patient will be met at the nearest airport (or at the Tijuana border) by our comfortable Angeles Hospital shuttle service and taken to their chosen hospital. At the hospital they’ll go through all the usual check-in procedures. After their treatment and any requisite monitoring time, they’ll be free to check out of the hospital. If their procedure requires a follow-up consultation they will stay at a nearby hotel until they are approved for travel. When the patient and their surgeon are satisfied, our shuttle will take the patient back to their original arrival point. Once the patient is home, Angeles Health International will follow up with them to ensure their recovery is going as expected, answer any questions and help address any after-care requirements they may have. All of the above is covered in more detail on our site. MTT: At this point is there anything else you would like to share with the readers? CZ: Angeles Health International will continue its mission of helping patients from the U.S., Canada, Europe and more, and find the best care options at an affordable price and in an accessible timeline. If you have any questions about treatment options, or our mission, please do not hesitate to reach out. We strongly believe in patients’ rights and their ability to access medical treatment in a safe and professional medical environment free from price gouging or long wait times.